Protect Brooks and the County of Newell: Require Full Environmental Review Before Approving Any AI Data Centers

Petition to the City of Brooks, the County of Newell, and the Government of Alberta

We, the undersigned residents, landowners, taxpayers, and concerned, call upon the City of Brooks, the County of Newell, and the Government of Alberta to pause approval of any AI data center developments in our region until comprehensive environmental assessments, public consultations, and enforceable community protections have been completed.

The proposed 1,200-megawatt (MW) data center project near Brooks would be among the largest developments of its kind in Canada. Given its unprecedented scale, residents deserve a transparent and independent review of its potential impacts before land-use changes, permits, or approvals are granted.

While proponents highlight economic benefits and technological innovation, many important questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term effects on our region's infrastructure, environment, agricultural economy, and natural resources.

We urge decision-makers to require a full and transparent evaluation of the following concerns:

1.  Electricity Infrastructure and Energy Demands

The proposed facility of this size could become one of the largest electricity consumers in Alberta. 

Residents deserve independent analysis of;

• Potential impacts and protection on Alberta's electrical grid, with electricity reliability and long-term energy planning at the forefront;
• The risk that large-scale industrial consumption could place additional pressure on regional energy resources and contribute to higher long-term electricity rates;
• Future infrastructure requirements needed to support the project.

2.  Natural Gas Infrastructure and Energy Demand Concerns

Residents also deserve independent analysis of:

• The anticipated natural gas requirements associated with powering, supporting, or providing backup generation for large-scale AI data center operations with potential impacts on regional natural gas infrastructure and long-term energy planning;
• Whether increased industrial demand could place additional pressure on natural gas supplies relied upon by households, farms, and local businesses;
• Potential impacts on natural gas prices and utility costs for residents, agricultural producers, and commercial users, with future natural gas infrastructure upgrades required to support the project could result in costs being passed on to consumers;
• The long-term implications of increased natural gas consumption on Alberta's emissions objectives and environmental commitments;
• The cumulative effects of future expansion or additional data center developments on regional natural gas demand.

Residents and businesses deserve assurance that essential energy resources will remain reliable, affordable, and available for community needs before being committed to large-scale industrial developments.

3.  Water Security and Drought Resilience

Southern Alberta faces recurring drought conditions and increasing pressure on water resources.

Residents deserve clear information regarding:

• Total water requirements for construction, startup, operation, and maintenance;
• Potential impacts on irrigation systems, groundwater, and local watersheds;
• Long-term water security during drought years;
• How municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs will be protected.
• Whether the taxing on water resources would pass to the public through increases in utilities. 

Water resources should prioritize drinking water, agriculture, and ecosystem health before supporting large industrial developments.

4.  Agricultural Land Protection

The Brooks and County of Newell region is built upon productive farmland and a strong agricultural economy.

Residents are concerned about:

• The permanent conversion of agricultural land to industrial use;
• Fragmentation of farming operations;
• Long-term impacts on agricultural productivity and rural communities;
• The precedent that large-scale industrial developments may create for future land-use decisions. 

5.  Environmental and Community Impacts

Before approval, independent studies should evaluate:

• Noise impacts on nearby residents;
• Effects on farm life, wildlife habitats and movement corridors;
• Air quality and heat emissions with long-term impacts on the quality of surrounding land and wildlife;
• Potential cumulative impacts from future expansion or additional facilities;
• Long-term environmental monitoring requirements.

6.  Public Transparency and Community Consultation

Projects of any  scale should not proceed without meaningful public involvement.

Residents deserve:

• Open access to environmental studies and technical reports;
• Public meetings and consultation opportunities;
• Independent expert review of project claims;
• Clear and enforceable operating conditions to protect local communities.

Our Request:

We call on local and provincial decision-makers to:

• Pause approval of any scale AI data center developments in the Brooks and County of Newell region until comprehensive environmental assessments are completed.
• Require transparent public consultation before any approvals are granted.
• Commission independent studies examining energy, water, agricultural, environmental, and community impacts.
• Establish legally enforceable protections for residents, farmers, water resources, and wildlife.
• Ensure that long-term community interests take precedence over short-term development pressures.

The Brooks and County of Newell region is defined by its agricultural heritage, natural resources, and strong rural communities. Decisions of this magnitude must be made carefully, transparently, and with the full participation of the people who will live with the consequences for generations to come.

Sign this petition to support responsible decision-making, environmental accountability, and the protection of Southern Alberta's future.